UK to court US stem cell research firms

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to propose a joint conference for UK and Californian stem cell researchers during his current visit to the US. The move follows US President Bush's recent vetoing of a bill that would have expanded federal funds for embryonic stem cell (ES) research. California is at the forefront of several state-led initiatives aiming to provide private money for such work. It is hoped that the planned conference - to be held in November in London - will provide an opportunity to highlight the opportunities for US stem cell firms who want to work with UK researchers.

According to a report in the Sunday Times newspaper, promotional literature for Blair's trip to California says that the UK 'already has a legislative and regulatory infrastructure designed to ensure the highest quality research and development'. It goes on to say that Britain is the perfect place 'for frustrated scientists in the US who want to do the world some good'. Mr Blair is expected to meet with executives from Genentech, Gilead Sciences and Cell Genesys.

Meanwhile, a new poll shows that 58 per cent of the US public disapprove of Bush's stem cell bill veto, while 36 per cent agree with his decision. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 would have allowed federal funds to be used for the creation of new ES cell lines left over from fertility treatments and willingly donated by patients. The Gallup poll, which surveyed 1005 US adults between 21 and 23 July, found that of those who disapproved of the veto, 76 per cent said they were 'very' or 'somewhat' upset. It also showed that 61 per cent of those surveyed believed Bush vetoed the bill for personal reasons, compared to 32 per cent who think he did so for political advantage.

When Bush carried out the veto two weeks ago, the White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said it was because the President believes that 'for the purpose of research it's inappropriate for the federal government to finance something that many people consider murder. He's one of them'. However, Snow has since retracted this statement, saying that he had 'overstated the president's position'.